Intel Corp. will boost clock-speeds of its next-generation Atom "Cedarview" system-on-chip devices for desktops in a bid to increase their performance compared to existing offerings. With boosted frequencies, improved video playback and graphics performance, the new Intel Atom D2000-series will be more competitive against Advanced Micro Devices' latest Fusion chips for netbooks and nettops.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, Intel will release two new-generation Atom code-named Cedarview-D microprocessors: D2700 (2.13GHz, two cores, Hyper-Threading, 1MB cache, 10W TDP) and D2500 (1.86GHz, two cores, 1MB cache, 10W TDP), according to a source familiar with Intel's plans. The chips will support a number of significant improvements and will support 64-bit instruction sets.

Intel Cedarview system-on-chip with a new Atom core will feature DirectX 10.1-capable graphics engine that will have integrated high-definition video decoder (in order to enable Blu-ray disc playback on all Atom-based systems), will support higher clock-speeds, will have improved DDR3 memory controller and will feature digital interfaces for displays. The document by Intel also claims that the new chip will consume lower amount of power, perhaps, because it will be made using 32nm fabrication process.

The new Cedarview processor will continue to utilize the NM10 input/output controller, which should make it easier for manufacturers to transit to the new Cedar Trail platform.

Thanks to integration of high-definition video decoder into the new Atom SoC, all systems powered by the new chip will be able to playback Blu-ray video. Unfortunately, since the new Atom SoC has outdated DirectX 10.1-class graphics core, it will be unable to use it for general purpose computing. As a result, even the forthcoming platform for ULCPCs from Intel will not be able to match AMD's Brazos in terms of functionality in many terms.